Founded 80 years ago, the International Bach Festival Schaffhausen is now one of the most important music festivals in Switzerland. In 2026 it will take place from May 13 - 17.

Schaffhausen has been organizing the International Bach Festival since 1946. After the Second World War, the desire to bring people from different backgrounds together through music has resulted in a first-class early music festival that attracts many visitors to Schaffhausen and Switzerland every two years.

As part of the upcoming festival, 12 festival concerts, 5 cantata services and a number of other events can be experienced over a period of five days in Schaffhausen and its picturesque surroundings.

The 31st edition of the International Bach Festival offers a contrasting view into the musical prism of Johann Sebastian Bach and reveals diverse musical worlds - from historically informed performance practice of Bach's works to new arrangements with a contemporary twist. This year's festival will focus in particular on Bach's St. Matthew Passion and St. John Passion as well as his "Goldberg Variations". As at every Bach Festival, the B minor Mass will be performed at the end.